Occult Chronology
[Under construction]
Occult Chronology is the account of the duration of the different evolutionary cycles the universe, solar system, earth, and human beings go through according to the Esoteric Philosophy. H. P. Blavatsky said that "the exoteric figures accepted throughout India . . . dovetail pretty nearly with those of the Secret works"[1] and, therefore, she frequently uses the Hindu calculations in her works.
Cosmic cycles
The duration of the Yugas as rendered in the Hindu books:
Krita Yuga: 1,728,000 years
Treta Yuga: 1,296,000 years
Dwapara Yuga: 864,000 years
Kali Yuga: 432,000 years
Maha Yuga: 4,320,000 years
Round
A Round of evolution constitutes a minor manvantara. The fourth round lasts 71 Maha-yugas,[2] that is, 308,571,414 years.[3] This is the reign of one Manu.[4]
Planetary Chain
The whole evolution of a Planetary Chain constitutes a Planetary manvantara. The seven Rounds that are needed to accomplish this cycle takes a Kalpa[5] (or one "day of Brahmā"). This embraces 14 minor manvantaras + a Satya Yuga, = 1,000 Maha-Yugas, that is, 4,320,000,000 years.
The mention of 14 minor manvantaras to finish a Planetary Chain is explained by Mme. Blavatsky by pointing out that there are two "Manus" in each round: the Root Manu at its beginning, and the Seed Manu at its end.[6]
Maha-Kalpa
One Year of Brahmâ (360 of such days and nights): 3,110,400,000,000 years
One Age of Brahmâ, a Mahâ-Kalpa (100 such years): 311,040,000,000,000 years[7]
All the different cycles take place within the "Great Age" or universal manvantara:
There were several "Great Ages" mentioned by the ancients. In India it embraced the whole Maha-Manvantara, the "Age of Brahma," each "Day" of which represents the Life Cycle of a chain, i. e., it embraces a period of Seven Rounds (vide "Esoteric Buddhism," by A. P. Sinnett). Thus while a "Day" and a "Night" represent, as Manvantara and Pralaya, 8,640,000,000 years, an "age" lasts through a period of 311,040,000,000,000; after which the Pralaya or dissolution of the universe becomes universal. With the Egyptian and Greeks the "Great Age" referred only to the Tropical, or Sidereal year, the duration of which is 25,868 solar years. Of the complete age--that of the Gods--they said nothing, as it was a matter to be discussed and divulged only at the Mysteries, and during the Initiation Ceremonies. The "Great Age" of the Chaldees was the same in figures as that of the Hindus.[8]
Human cycles
Notes
- ↑ Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, Secret Doctrine vol. II, (Wheaton, Ill: Theosophical Publishing House, 1993), 69-70
- ↑ Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, The Secret Doctrine vol. II, (Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1993), 307, fn.
- ↑ Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, Collected Writings vol. XIII (Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1982), 301.
- ↑ Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, Theosophical Glossary (Los Angeles, CA: Theosophy Company, 1973), 206.
- ↑ Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, Collected Writings vol. XIII (Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1982), 301.
- ↑ Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, Collected Writings vol. IV (Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1991), 577.
- ↑ Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, Secret Doctrine vol. II, (Adyar, Madras: Theosophical Publishing House, 1979), 69-70.
- ↑ Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, Theosophical Glossary (Los Angeles, CA: Theosophical Company, 1973), 129.
Online resources
Articles and pamphlets
- Occult Chronology by James Arther
- Cycles by William Q. Judge
Videos
- Occult Cycles by United Lodge of Theosophists